+99 888 1664000 info@uzbekistan1.com

Login

Sign Up

After creating an account, you'll be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation and you can also rate the tour after you finished the tour.
Username*
Password*
Confirm Password*
First Name*
Last Name*
Birth Date*
Email*
Phone*
Country*
* Creating an account means you're okay with our Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step

Already a member?

Login

Login

Sign Up

After creating an account, you'll be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation and you can also rate the tour after you finished the tour.
Username*
Password*
Confirm Password*
First Name*
Last Name*
Birth Date*
Email*
Phone*
Country*
* Creating an account means you're okay with our Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step

Already a member?

Login
+99 888 1664000 info@uzbekistan1.com

Login

Sign Up

After creating an account, you'll be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation and you can also rate the tour after you finished the tour.
Username*
Password*
Confirm Password*
First Name*
Last Name*
Birth Date*
Email*
Phone*
Country*
* Creating an account means you're okay with our Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step

Already a member?

Login

Tash-Khovli Palace

Tash-Khovli Palace:

A Marvel of Architecture and Elegance in Khiva

In the heart of Khiva, a city steeped in history and cultural richness, stands the Tash-Khovli Palace—a testament to the architectural brilliance of the Khorezm masters and a repository of the intriguing tales of the Khiva khans and their lifestyle. Originally constructed in the first half of the nineteenth century, this stone country estate occupies the eastern part of the inner city, offering a glimpse into the opulence and thoughtful design that characterized the lives of the ruling elite.

The Tash-Khovli complex unfolds with a rectangular plan, featuring three distinct yards. The southern part houses the receiving yard, Arz-Khovli, and the entertainment yard, Ishrat-Khovli, while the northern section is dedicated to the harem. Labyrinths of corridors interconnect the yards and buildings, providing a maze-like architectural marvel. The palace served as the residence for the khan’s brothers and relatives, boasting two gates facing the west and south. Constructed with high-quality bricks, the walls of the palace are adorned with figured cogs, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship of the builders.

Arz-Khovli and Ishrat-Khovli share identical plans, with high single-pillar aivans surrounding the square yards. These aivans lead to main houses while guest rooms with smaller aivans on the second floor are situated on the other sides. The harem features five splendid aivans, strategically open to welcome the northern winds. Behind these aivans, two rooms are elegantly arranged through a main majolica entrance with a painted ceiling, serving as simply decorated dwellings.

The efficiency and elegance of architectural elements are evident throughout the palace. While the outer facades remain unfaced, the walls of the yards are adorned with majolica panels displaying a carpet pattern. The high aivans retain their decorative design, adorned with pendant ceilings. Carved marble bases, wooden pillars, and majolica slabs exhibit geometric and plant decorations, complemented by epigraphic narratives detailing the history of Khiva khans. The second-floor railings feature a set of fences (panjar-as), and the decorated ceilings exude a golden-red hue. The interiors are relatively simple, with picturesque representations of blooming trees in restrained black and blue colors adorning the walls.

The Tash-Khovli yard stands out for its thoughtful design, masterfully contrasting open and closed structures. The creative use of light and shade adds an extra layer of sophistication, showcasing the original synthesis of architecture and monumental decorative art by the Khorezm masters.

Adjacent to the Tash-Khovli Palace lies the bustling gates of Pahla-van-darvaza, a hub of trade throughout the ages. By Alla-Kuli-khan’s decree in the 1830s, a caravanserai was erected nearby, welcoming goods from caravans representing various countries. The caravanserai’s symmetrical rectangular design features a central yard, flanked by two-story vaulted rooms. A portal marks the exit, with a lowered yard center for convenient unloading of goods. The caravanserai served as a haven for merchants and a trading hub where goods from far-reaching places such as China, England, and Bukhara Khanate were exchanged.

In essence, the Tash-Khovli Palace and its surrounding caravanserai narrate a captivating saga of architectural prowess, opulence, and the vibrant tapestry of trade that shaped the historical landscape of Khiva.